Joe Bruno won’t seek reelection
June 23, 2008
Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno will not seek re-election, the Brunswick Republican confirmed this evening.
In a statement from his office, Bruno said that “After 32 years in office, I have decided that it is time to move on with my life and to give my constituents an opportunity for new representation and my colleagues in the Senate who have supported me, an opportunity for new leadership.”
He also mused on his his time in public office, describing both ups and downs.
“Public service has been a blessing for which I will be ever grateful. I have had the opportunity to work for and with hundreds of proud, distinguished New Yorkers. I have viewed my work not as a job, but as a privilege to come here day in and day out and stand up for the people of Rensselaer and Saratoga counties and stand up for the hardworking people I have come to know over the years.”
He also called politics “a tough ball game. Tougher now than it has ever been.”
Bruno said he was moving on “with a heavy heart, but an optimistic soul.”
Bruno had earlier told his Republican conference and Democratic Gov. David Paterson of his decision.
Speaking with reporters, Paterson said he had no indication that Bruno’s decision was connected to an ongoing FBI probe of the senator.
Insiders say Assemblyman Roy McDonald, R-Wilton, is Bruno’s preferred replacement, although Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen Jimino is said to be interested, too.
Bruno, 79, of Brunswick, was first elected to the Senate in 1976, and became majority leader in 1995 at the same time that Republican George Pataki became governor.
He has had a stormy past two years, starting with revelations in late 2006 that he was under investigation by the FBI, a probe that is still not done. Authorities are said to be looking into his business dealings, which include a consulting business whose clients Bruno has not publicly revealed.
Last year, he was embroiled in disputes with Democratic Gov. Eliot Spitzer, which escalated in July after Spitzer’s office released details of the senator’s travel records showing he used state aircraft and police drivers on days when he had major political fund-raisers in New York City.
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo concluded Bruno did nothing wrong under the state’s lax travel rules, which were subsequently tightened. Cuomo faulted Spitzer’s aides for involving State Police in a political matter.
Bruno and Spitzer feuded for months as new information came to light on Spitzer’s involvement in the records’ release, and a report by District Attorney David Soares challenged Spitzer’s claims that he didn’t know about it. Spitzer resigned in March after his involvement with a high-priced prostitute was revealed.
Bruno has had a quieter relationship with Paterson, the lieutanant governor who succeeded Spitzer.
Source: Times Union
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